Study of Dielectric Constant and

determination of Curie Temperature of

Ferromagnetic ceramics
Name: Rahul Devarakonda

Roll Number: 2018/UG/019

• Abstract
• Apparatus
• Introduction
• Formulas Used in the Experiment
• Observations and Results
• Conclusion
• Precautions
 Abstract

Our aim is the measurement of Curie Temperature of Barium Titranate (BaTiO3).

Apparatus:
• Probe Arrangement: It has two spring loaded probes. These probe move in pipes and are
insulated by Teflon bush, which ensure a good electrical insulation. The probe arrangement
is mounted in suitable stand, which also hold the sample plate and RTD sensor. The RTD is
mounted in he sample plates such that it is just below the sample, separated by a very thin
sheet of mica. This ensures the correct measurement of sample temperature. This stand also
serves as a lid of the over. The leads are provided for the connection to RTD and capacitance
meter.

• Sample: Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) plate with top and bottom conducting surface.
• Oven : This is a high quality temperature controlled oven. The oven has been designed for
fast heating and cooling rates, which enhance the effectiveness of the controller.
• Main Units: The Set-Up consists of two units housed in the same cabinet.
• Oven Controller: Platinum RTD (A class) has been used for sensing the temperature. A
Wheatstone bridge and an instrumentation amplifier are used for signal conditioning.
Feedback circuit ensures offset and linearity trimming and a fast accurate control of the
oven temperature.

Figure 1: Apparatus

Introduction:

Ferroelectric materials exhibit electric dipole moment even in the absence of an external electric
field. Ferroelectric materials are of theoretical and technical interest as they have unusually high and
unusual temperature dependent values of the dielectric constant, the piezoelectric effects etc. Ferro
electricity usually disappears above a certain temperature called the transition (or Curie)
temperature. Knowledge of the Curie temperature and the variation of the dielectric constant below
and above the Curie temperature is of interest to the physicists and the engineers.

Probably the best-known ferroelectric material is barium titanate BaTiO3; it is a representative of the
so-called oxygen octahedron group of ferroelectric materials. The reason for this name is that above
the Curie temperature (θ = 120oC), BaTiO3 corresponds to the cubic structure presented in the figure
on the next page. In this structure, the Ba2+ ions occupy the corners of a cube; the centers of the
cube faces are occupied by O2- ions. The oxygen ions form an octahedron, at the center of which the
small Ti4+ ion is located. The Ti4+ ion is considerably smaller than the space, which is available inside
the oxygen octahedron. It thus brings with it a high ionic polarizability for two reasons: (a) it has a
charge of 4e and, (b) it can be displaced over a relatively large distance. This may be the explanation
for the occurrence of spontaneous polarization in BaTiO3.

Figure 2

There is an intimate relationship between the ferroelectric properties and the atomic arrangement
in ferroelectric materials. Above 120oC, BaTiO3 has the cubic structure indicated in Fig. 1. When the
temperature is lowered through the critical temperature of 120oC, the material becomes
spontaneously polarized and at the same time the structure changes. The direction of spontaneously
polarization may lie along any of the Fig.1, 2 cube edges, giving total 6 possible directions for the
spontaneous polarization. Along the direction of spontaneous polarization of a given domain, the
material expands, whereas perpendicular to the polarization direction it contracts. Thus, the
material is no longer cubic, but corresponds to a so-called tetragonal structure.

Formulas used in the Experiment:

Dielectric Constant:

The dielectric constant of a dielectric material can be defined as the ratio of the capacitance using
that material as the dielectric in a capacitor to the capacitance using a vacuum as the dielectric.
Typical values of for dielectrics are:
 Figure 3: Dielectric constant values

Dielectric Constant ε is given by

𝐶
ε= -(1)
𝐶0
And,
ε0 𝐴
𝐶0 = -(2)
𝑡
Where 𝐶 = capacitance using the material as the dielectric in the capacitor

𝐶0 = capacitance using vacuum as the dielectric

ε0 =Permitivity of Free space (8.85 × 10−12 F/m)

𝐴 =Area of the plate/ sample cross section area

𝑡 = Thickness of the plate

Observations and Results:

Sample : Barium Titanate (BaTiO3)

Area (A) : 8 x 6 mm

Thickness (t) : 1.42 mm

Permitivity of free space(ε0 ) =8.85 × 10−3 pF/mm

ε0 𝐴
𝐶0 = 𝑡
= 29.9 × 10−3 pF

Serial Number Temperature (oC) Capacitance (pF) Dielectric Constant

(ε)
1 25 696 2328
2 35 665 2224
3 45 636 2127
 4 55 618 2067
5 65 607 2030
6 75 604 2020
7 85 612 2047
8 95 629 2104
9 105 654 2187
10 110 677 2264
11 115 715 2391
12 120 766 2555
13 125 846 2829
14 128 930 3110
15 129 1020 3411
16 130 1280 4281
17 131 1836 6140
18 132 1790 5987
19 133 1722 5759
20 135 1627 5441
21 138 1470 4916
22 140 1360 4548
23 145 1190 3980
24 150 1070 3579
25 160 853 2853

The dielectric constant vs Temperature plot is given below:

From the Plot, it is clear that the Curie Temperature 𝑻𝒄 = 𝟏𝟑𝟎. 𝟕𝟑oC
Conclusion:
The Curie Temperature for Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) is 𝑻𝒄 = 𝟏𝟑𝟎. 𝟕𝟑oC.

Precautions:
(1). The spring loaded probe should be allowed to rest on the sample very gently, other wise it may
damage the conducting surface of the sample or even beak the sample.

(2). The reading of capacitance meter should be taken when the oven is OFF. This would be indicated
by the green LED. In ON position there may be some pick ups.

(3). The reading near the curie Temperature should be taken at close intervals, say 10oC.